Sleep Patterns

He sounds fine to me. All babies are different and require different amounts of sleep. My youngest daughter slept through the night from the day she was born for 7 to 8 hours. My older one was awake every two hours for the first few months. You don't mention reading or singing to him. Both of these activities are important for his growth. Read to him every day. It's one of the most important things you can do. And hold him when you read to him. Holding a baby never hurt anyone. Read, Read, Read....

I agree with everyone. Hold him, love him, enjoy him. He sounds like a beautiful baby! It is a true gift that he sleeps when he's tired. I had one that did and one that fought sleep tooth and nail. In this crazy world, we all need the skill to shut down and get the rest we need. It's great that he has that already--let him sleep!

Reading and singing are great activities--mine both loved ItsyBitsy Spider, Thumbkin and other finger play songs at that age. Plus Peekaboo is great for development--and fun. And hold him on your lap when you play :-)

You sound like you're doing fine. I just wanted to add that it is ok to hold your baby. Babies were meant to be held. As he gets older and wants to crawl and walk, he'll be more into those things than being held. So enjoy cuddling with him while he's too little to get away from you. ;)

I'd give my right arm and leg if my 7 month old slept that much!!! I think your baby is fine, he is sleeping 5 hours straight at night!! that's wonderful!!! Mine wakes up every hour at night ... and won't sleep more than a couple of naps during the day (one hour each, tops) so enjoy and be grateful your little one sleeps!!!

Hi, as I recall this is normal. At 4 months old they sleep 9-12 hours a day and 2 naps that can be 2-3 hours. They grow a lot at that age. As far as holding him too much. I have a son 7 and daughter 4. I held them both a lot. The time will come soon enough when holding him will only be a precious memory. Enjoy every snuggle moment and drool spot on your shirt or skin. That is how you bond. And holding your baby is one of life's best gifts of motherhood. You will miss it. R. S.

4 months and sleeping 5 hours straight! Wow that baby is doing great! he sounds right on track. And lots of babies this age still sleep a lot during the day and that is fine. Most babies do not sleep that long of a stretch already so you are really lucky. You are doing great. The only thing I would say is that you really can't "spoil" a baby at this age. And he is still really young to develop any "bad" habits. So hold and snuggle that baby as much as you want. It will not make him a needy baby.

You are doing GREAT!
But hold him,
honestly you blink 2 or 3 times, and he'll be in high school-
hold him, adore him hug him while you can!
Babies do super best with alot of touch- so hold and enjoy!
very best, k

He should be sleeping 3-4 hours a day, going down for nap one 1.5-2 hours after waking, and then going down for nap two, 1.5-2 hours after waking. He will then also need a third nap, for about 30 minutes, till around 6 months of age.

Around 4 months babies start stretching at night as much as 8-12 hours. Naps should be one in am and one in afternoon. Some really sleepy babies may need one more short nap. Try to let him go to bed for the night at 7pm. Help him to stay down by not responding to every whimper. Sleep takes over instead of hunger at this age and their brains need the sleep for proper development. Make him do lots of tummy time during his playtime. Four times a day for 20-30 minutes each time so he will build endurance and a core. This should make him nice and tired to sleep long hours. Also give him plenty of movement by walking and holding, bouncing, turning upside down, swinging in regular park swing, rocking, back and forth in stroller or pull him on a blanket on the floor, making a baby burrito out of a blanket and keep turning him. All of this sensory input is what all babies need for their vestibular systems to recognize sensations. Keep working on the sleep thing and he will have a nice schedule!

You are doing OK. Trust him, trust yourself. :)

I saw with both our babies that they'd edge out a little longer waking time every few weeks during their first year. It was 4 naps a day, then 3, then 2, and by a year old just one nap a day... usually. I always found that letting them do what they need caused the least friction and the happiest kids.

And sleep with him, whenever you can! It keeps him sleeping longer and you don't get sleep deprived. :)

I agree with the first responder - my guy use to nap every 1.5-2 hours. He still takes 3 naps a day (at 11 months) and only recently have they spread out from every 2 hours to every 2-4 hours. I never tried to keep my child awake (realizing that an overtired baby has a harder time going to bed and staying asleep than a well-napped baby). The doc recommended that I wake him after sleeping for 4 hours during the day to keep him from getting his days and nights confused. This worked for us.

Regarding holding your baby, I am of the school of thought that babies belong in their parents' arms (or to be worn in a carrier). I hold my baby a lot (often using a mei tai), and he is able to adjust easily to falling asleep without being rocked and gets ample amounts of floor time.